Dopamine receptor agonists (eg, pramipexole) or levodopa because their effectiveness may be decreased by Zyprexa.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zyprexa may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

Zyprexa may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or decreased vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zyprexa with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Zyprexa.

Talk with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Zyprexa; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Zyprexa may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.

Do not suddenly stop taking Zyprexa without checking with your doctor.

Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.

Zyprexa may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.

Zyprexa may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.

NMS is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Zyprexa. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.

Some patients who take Zyprexa may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Zyprexa in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Zyprexa.

Lab tests, including fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, complete blood cell counts, and liver function, may be performed while you take Zyprexa. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Use Zyprexa with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially uncontrolled muscle movements.

Caution is advised when using Zyprexa in children; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness, increased cholesterol and lipid levels, increased levels of prolactin (a hormone), and weight gain. Children may need regular weight checks while they take Zyprexa.

Zyprexa should be used with extreme caution in children younger 13 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Zyprexa while you are pregnant. Zyprexa is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Zyprexa.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: